This is a really fast watercolor sketch of a mountain lion that knew my husband. (Yes, you read that right. More in a minute.) When we lived in the Philadelphia area, there was a wonderful little zoo in Norristown, PA that specialized in North American animals. I loved going there more than the Philadelphia Zoo because 1). parking was easy and free 2). it wasn't crowded and 3). you could see everything without exhausting yourself. They had a prairie dog town, pronghorn antelope, elk, foxes and wolves, bison, a great assortment of owls, etc. And they had a mountain lion.This mountain lion loathed Paul. We have no idea why, but it did. One time I went on ahead and positioned myself so that I could see the lion as Paul approached. It was just hanging out, lying down, watching the world. Then Paul came into view some distance away and that cat went from laid back to Red Alert in half a second. I was amazed. If Paul remained in front of its enclosure for any amount of time, the cat would start snarling and occasionally even lunging. So as not to upset the animal too much, Paul usually observed it from a distance. This is what was happening in the photo that I did this sketch from; Paul was a ways away and the cat was keeping an eye on him. I was hoping to catch the intensity of the cat's gaze, maybe even a hint of aggression in this painting.
5 comments:
Well done! The cat does seem rather intent on something so I'd say you've succeeded! Love the freshness of the piece.
That is a strange story...but a beautiful sketch!
Beautiful watercolor capture of a beautiful lion. Your husband must remind him or her of someone.
...that is the strangest story!! Maybe they knew each other in past lives! ;-D Beautiful watercolor....
Hi Gabrielle,
I was just poking around your site after you posted the comments on mine and happened upon this lovely quick watercolor. It seems very successful to me, as does the brand new Ruddy Turnstone.
But I had no idea it might give me an idea for some of my own artwork! I vaguely recall hearing of the Norristown Zoo but I'd never really looked into it. Debbie Kaspari at Drawing the Motmot got me thinking about drawing from zoo animals at least a year ago. But I didn't go to the Philadelphia Zoo for all the reasons that you mention. Little did I know there was another zoo closer to me and cheaper as well!
I don't think I'll be following Darren Woodhead's example and going out there during the next blizzard but I will try to make it next spring.
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